Gyanvapi survey report Unveils Controversial Findings on Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) survey report on the Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi has stirred fresh controversy, as exclusive photos obtained by India Today reveal fragmented statues of Hindu deities and Persian inscriptions, suggesting the mosque's construction atop the remains of a Hindu temple. Key Findings from the ASI Survey Report: Statues of Hindu Deities: The photos depict broken idols of Hindu deities, including Hanuman, Ganesha, and Nandi, within the mosque complex. The report refers to these fragments as evidence of a pre-existing Hindu temple. Yonipattas and Shiv Linga: The survey team discovered yonipattas (base of a shivling) and a shiv linga with its bottom part missing, indicating potential remnants of the earlier temple's architecture. Coins, Inscriptions, and Objects: The findings include coins, a sandstone slab inscribed in Persian, a pestle, and statues in various states of damage. The Persian inscriptions on stone slabs provide an account of the temple's demolition during Aurangzeb's reign. Debris Integration into Mosque Construction:…

President Droupadi Murmu Announces Free Treatment for Senior Citizens Under Ayushman Bharat Scheme

In a significant move to bolster healthcare accessibility for the elderly, President Droupadi Murmu announced on Thursday that all citizens aged above 70 years will be provided free treatment under the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme. The announcement was made during her address at the joint session of Parliament in New Delhi. Key Highlights of the Announcement: Extension of Ayushman Bharat Scheme: The Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) is a national public health insurance initiative by the central government aimed at providing coverage to low-income earners. President Murmu's announcement expands this coverage to include free healthcare services for all senior citizens above 70 years. Current Beneficiaries: The scheme is already providing free health services to 55 crore beneficiaries across the country. This latest expansion aims to further increase the number of people benefiting from government-supported healthcare. Infrastructure Development: Alongside expanding the coverage, the government is also making significant strides in improving healthcare infrastructure. The President highlighted the rapid…

Rajya Sabha Chairman Revokes Suspensions of 11 Opposition MPs Ahead of Budget Session

In a conciliatory move ahead of the Budget Session, Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar has lifted the suspensions of 11 opposition MPs who were found guilty of breach of privilege by the House panel. The privilege committee reportedly recommended treating the period of suspension already served as sufficient punishment, paving the way for their return to Parliament. This decision comes as a relief for the suspended MPs, who included members from Congress, CPI, DMK, and CPIM. They will now be able to participate in the upcoming session, starting on February 1, and attend President Droupadi Murmu's special address to both Houses on February 1. The revocation of suspensions applies only to the Rajya Sabha members as the Lok Sabha has its own procedure for dealing with such matters. The fate of three suspended Lok Sabha MPs remains uncertain for now. The suspensions stemmed from the tumultuous winter session, which witnessed unprecedented chaos over various issues, culminating in the suspension of…

CBI Reveals Fabrication in 1994 ISRO Espionage Case

Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala – The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has informed a court that the 1994 ISRO espionage case was allegedly fabricated by a senior Kerala police officer to detain a Maldivian woman who had rejected his advances. This false case led to the wrongful imprisonment of ISRO scientist Nambi Narayanan and others. The Fabricated Case The CBI's chargesheet, now made public, was filed in June against five former police officers for their roles in the false implication of Narayanan and five others, including two Maldivian women. According to the CBI, then-special branch officer S Vijayan concocted the case to prevent Maldivian national Mariyam Rasheeda from leaving India after she rebuffed his advances. Rasheeda's association with ISRO scientist D Shasikumaran prompted Kerala police officers to start monitoring her and her friend Fauzia Hasan. Despite the Subsidiary Intelligence Bureau's (SIB) inability to find anything suspicious about the women, Rasheeda was arrested under the Foreigners Act for overstaying her visa. Subsequently, Vijayan…

Ayush Ministry and ICMR Collaborate on Clinical Trial for Anemia Treatment

The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), operating under the Ayush Ministry, has joined forces with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to launch a significant clinical trial aimed at studying the efficacy and safety of traditional Ayurvedic formulations in treating anemia among non-pregnant women of reproductive age. The trial will compare the effectiveness of Punarnavadi Mandura, both alone and in combination with Drakshavaleha, to conventional iron folic acid treatment. Titled "Efficacy and safety of Punarnavadi Mandura alone and in combination with Drakshavaleha compared to iron folic acid in the treatment of moderate iron deficiency anemia among non-pregnant women of reproductive age group: a community-based three-arm multi-centre randomised controlled trial", this research endeavor is poised to make significant strides in addressing anemia, a prevalent health issue among women in India. The trial will be conducted across eight different sites, including prominent medical institutions such as MGIMS-Wardha, AIIMS-Jodhpur, and AIIMS-New Delhi, among others. Punarnavadi Mandura, known for its…

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